Males drink and drown

ALARMING new findings have showed that males account for about 80 per cent of all drowning deaths with a high percentage alcohol-related and occurring within 100km of their homes.

Royal Life Saving released their 2017 National Drowning Report yesterday. It reveals a 3 per cent rise in drowning deaths throughout Australia during the past 12 months.

Of the 291 deaths between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017, 73 were in Queensland, the second-highest state behind New South Wales (93).

Findings showed that 74 per cent of the drowning deaths were males and 26 per cent female. The average age was 43.3 years.

Rivers, creeks and streams were the top spots for drownings and, in 67 cases, 31 people drowned within 100km of their home.

The troubling statistics have prompted Royal Life Saving to launch a “Respect the River” campaign with support from the Federal Government.

“Drowning is always tragic for the people who lose their lives, the families and friends they leave behind, the rescuers who made valiant efforts to save their life and the community in general,” Royal Life Saving chief executive officer Justin Scarr said.

“Our Respect the River campaign continues to increase the focus on drowning prevention in regional areas, along our major rivers and in remote Australia.

“Community responses have been tremendous and early signs are positive.”

Statistics show that 1932 men have drowned in the last decade, one in four involving alcohol. Men are four times more likely to drown than women. Males account for 80 per cent of all drowning deaths.

Of the men who had been drinking and subsequently drowned, 66 per cent would have recorded a blood-alcohol content (BAC) above 0.05 per cent.

As a result, Royal Life Saving has launched a Don’t Let Your Mates Drink and Drown campaign.

DROWNING IS ALWAYS TRAGIC FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LOSE THEIR LIVES, THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS THEY LEAVE BEHIND, THE RESCUERS WHO MADE VALIANT EFFORTS TO SAVE THEIR LIFE AND THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL